Definition: Research includes any systematic activity that obtains generalizable knowledge or other primary data for any purpose other than the measurement of student performance for the student's benefit. Examples may include:

Survey or data collection to provide materials for presenting at professional conferences or meetings, or for publication

Gathering of data to be used in a class assignment or thesis

Activities requested by a third party in exchange for some type of compensation

All surveys and research projects conducted at Western Technical College shall follow the following procedure:

Preparing a draft of the research design and research instruments to be used in the research including:

Beginning and ending dates

Intent of the research or purpose of the study

Name of researchers

Description of the data collection process/methodology

Instruments to be used to conduct the research including letters and description of activities

Statement on how privacy will be maintained

Statement on the level of risk involved for the participants, and copy of informed consent document if the risk is more than minimal

Identification of a faculty research advisor if the researcher is a student

Obtaining approval by the College Department of Division where the research will be conducted

Review by the College Research Office

Obtaining approval by the outside institution IRB, if appropriate

Obtaining approval by the RTT, if appropriate

Services provided by the College Research Office include:

Review research procedures and instruments to ensure that regulations are met and risk is minimized

The review of proposed research requires the researcher to provide evidence of:

Department or Division approval where the staff or students will be the focus of the proposed research

Identification of commitments of time and other resources

The extent that the research activity might interrupt the teaching/learning/working environment of the College

Assurance that individual student or staff information cannot be identified and is destroyed upon completion of the research

Failure to obtain approval by the College Research Office and/or the Research and Technology Team acting as the Institutional Review Board prior to undertaking any research activity is a violation of college policy. It also releases Western Technical college from any indirect liability otherwise incurred by virtue of the fact that it "should know" that the activity has taken place, thereby leaving the researcher solely responsible for any liability incurred.